The Five: Stories that make Costa Mesa, Newport Beach unique

Jan. 18, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 4

Gloria Montes, 83, and her husband Bob, 82, of Newport Beach display a signed photo given to them by President Reagan. They attended the inaugurations for Ronald Reagan in 1985 and George H.W. Bush in 1989. LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Gloria Montes, 83, and her husband Bob, 82, of Newport Beach display a signed photo given to them by President Reagan. They attended the inaugurations for Ronald Reagan in 1985 and George H.W. Bush in 1989.LEONARD ORTIZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The only signs the city now allows to be seen from the street are for the store's name. That means no more $9.99 chardonnay specials enticing you to pull over, or cutouts of NASCAR girls holding cases of Coors Light.

Along with other rules prohibiting drinking alcohol on-site, the Planning Commission hopes to make Costa Mesa's streets a little more classy.

– Mike Reicher

2. Remembering Reagan's inauguration

Register reporter Theresa Walker this week compiled memories from Orange County residents who've attended presidential inaugurations through the years. Here's what Gloria and Bob Montes of Newport Beach recall about Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1985:

"We were invited to the presidential inauguration as members of the (Republican Senatorial) Inner Circle. The highlight for me was to see President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan dancing on the stage; also the four King Sisters with Alvino Rey singing to them. Near the box we were sitting in was Ricky Schroder, dancing with his mother. I took pictures of Muhammad Ali.

To me, nothing can top this affair. It was the most elegant ever."

– Staff

3. Bunnies invading Newport Civic Center

Bunnies are invading the new Newport Civic Center park complex. Not the real thing, but sculptures of two 8-foot rabbits and more than a dozen of their babies.

One of the large rabbits currently can be seen, wrapped in black plastic, near the construction site off Avocado Avenue near San Miguel Drive. Fifteen smaller rabbits, about 3 to 4 feet tall, will be placed in a ring in a meadow along Avocado south of San Miguel. They are designed so kids can sit on them.

The park will be finished around the same time as the City Hall building in late February or early March, officials said.

City Manager Dave Kiff said the park will not include traditional tot lots.

– Amy Senk

4. Kobe Bryant home sells for $3.2 million

Vanessa Bryant, wife of Lakers star Kobe Bryant, has unloaded one of three Newport Coast homes she owns.

The 6,026-square-foot, two-story home sold for $3.2 million on Jan. 8.

The five-bedroom house boasts a large master suite with sitting room and fireplace, an upstairs bonus room, a library, gourmet kitchen, four additional fireplaces, a spa, and an outdoor fireplace and barbecue.

The Mediterranean-style home sits on nearly a quarter-acre. It was not the couple's main residence.

Vanessa Bryant listed the house for $3.75 million in September. The Bryants bought the home for $2.65 million in 2003.

Kobe Bryant transferred the home and two others in Newport Coast to his wife last year while the Bryants were negotiating a divorce , records show. The couple, however, did not officially call it quits and has since reconciled, according to news reports. County records still list Vanessa Bryant as owner of the properties.

– Marilyn Kalfus

5. These dads sound off

Some dads just want some peace and quiet when it comes to their children. Some of Sonora Elementary’s dads, however, want things to get loud.

The Sonora Elementary School Dad’s Club Band is planning a fundraiser for Jan. 18 at Skosh Monahan's Steakhouse & Irish Pub. Newport Beach's Katherine Nestel, a former contestant on “American Idol,” will perform with the band.

Music starts at 8 p.m. and the group is asking for $10 donations

The band is raising money for a new sound system at the school. Items in the silent auction include: basketball signed by former Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two tickets to see Soundgarden, Big Bear cabin weekend and swim lessons at the Costa Mesa Aquatics Club.

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